Meryl & Me: Beth Leavel on Swapping Roles with Streep in The Prom & Devil Wears Prada

"If you're going to give your child to someone, I think Meryl's probably the best person," Tony winner Beth Leavel jokes about swapping roles with three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep. Leavel is referring to the fact that Streep will be playing Leavel's Tony-nominated role of stage diva Dee Dee Allen in the Netflix adaptation of Broadway's The Prom. Meanwhile, Leavel will take on Streep's Oscar-nommed role of fashion editor Miranda Priestly in the upcoming Devil Wears Prada musical.

Leavel, who recently triumphed in a sold-out concert engagement at Feinstein's/54 Below, is clearly taking the swap in stride, expressing excitement about her upcoming project. "I can't wait to play this phenomenal role, this strong woman with so many complexities. And she's going to look gorgeous," Leavel says of Miranda. "The Devil Wears Prada is one of my favorite films ever, and I don't know many people who don't feel that way. I'm so excited to see how this creative team [Elton John, Shaina Taub, Paul Rudnick and Anna D. Shapiro] are going to make it sing. Not all movies lend themselves to song. I think that this one does, so I'm going to sit back and enjoy this journey," Leavel says, adding, "Dear Diary, This is going to be a great time in my life. Love, Beth."

The Prom film adaptation is currently in production, and the original Broadway cast, who lovingly developed the musical but are not starring in the film, are happy for the show's next incarnation. "We had slowly but surely been building up the message and the fanbase of the show, and then to know Ryan Murphy loved it so much that he was going to make it into a film was astonishing," Leavel says, noting that the Broadway cast can't wait to see the final film. "We already talked about it. I think we're going to have a big viewing party at someone's house and just share. It will be a celebration!"

Is it bittersweet to see The Prom with its new cast? (In addition to Streep, the film's company includes James Corden, Nicole Kidman and Andrew Rannells). "The original stars knew that chances were we wouldn't be a part of that, and, of course, we had to mourn that loss. But ultimately, how ever we can get the message of The Prom to the most people should be the most important thing. Here's the child I gave birth to, world. Have at it. I'm thrilled that it's going to be seen everywhere."

With so much in common, one might think Leavel and Streep are pals now. But that's not the case (yet). "Now Meryl and I are two degrees of separation," Leavel notes. "I do hope I get to meet her. If she's in Midtown and would like a cup of tea or just has to go to the bathroom, please just call me."